Automatic table game

ABSTRACT

A gaming table in which the outcome of the game is determined manually, and in which players place bets electronically and wins or losses are calculated electronically. The gaming system is applicable to any suitable game including roulette.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to table games such as roulette,traditionally played in casinos and similar gaming establishments.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Games of chance have been part of many societies for centuriesand are ever present today. Casinos exist to provide gamblingentertainment to the community in the form of many different games.

[0003] These games can generally be divided into two categories. Thefirst is automatic games, such as poker machines, in which a player betson various outcomes being generated. These outcomes are generatedautomatically, using sophisticated random (all pseudo random) numbergenerators. The player wins or loses depending upon the outcome of aparticular game.

[0004] The second category of games is know as a table game, in which ahuman operator, known as a dealer or a croupier, determines the outcomeof the game and pays betting players accordingly. Such table gamesinclude roulette and blackjack. In the case of blackjack, players aredealt a number of cards by a dealer, who also deals him or herself somecards. The cards themselves determine the outcome of a particular game,directed by the dealer, and influenced by individual players' choices ofvarious parts of the game.

[0005] Simplistically, in roulette, players bet on where they think aball, spun within a wheel divided into thirty seven regions marked from0-36, will land. After bets are placed, the wheel is spun and the ballis dropped onto the spinning wheel and is allowed to move freely untilcoming to rest in one of the thirty seven regions of the wheel. Thoseplayers who bet on the correct number win, while those who did not,lose.

[0006] In both scenarios of the table games described above, allactions, including players betting, game outcome determination,calculation of winners and losers and subsequent settlement, areconducted manually.

[0007] This presents a number of problems. Firstly, mistakes can be madeby the player in placing a bet, resulting in an invalid bet, whilemistakes may be made by the croupier in determining winners and moreparticularly, in calculating and paying out wins. Furthermore, it is notuncommon for some players to attempt to cheat by surreptitiouslyincreasing or decreasing a bet while the croupier is not looking oncethe outcome of a game is known.

[0008] Another problem lies with the comfort and confidence of theplayers. One of the attractions of automatic gaming machines is that theplayer does not need to deal with other people, which is an advantage ifthe player is not entirely familiar with or confident about the rules ofthe game and may be intimidated by other people observing this.

[0009] Another disadvantage of traditional gaming tables is thatgenerally, only six players can play at a table at any one time. This isan inefficient use of space. Furthermore, their number within a givenestablishment is limited by legislation. Due to the limited number oftables, it is often difficult for players to find a place available at atable.

[0010] Further, due to the requirement of the croupier having tomaintain full control including supervising players, taking bets,determining the outcome of the game, calculating and paying winnings,collecting losses and all the while trying to be aware of any instancesof cheating, the number of players per table must be limited so as notto overtax the croupier. Accordingly, the overall profit of the casinoderived from the game is limited because the ratio between thecroupier's salary and the income generated from the players is not high.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide atable game which improves security and increases profit to the casino

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] In broad terms the present invention provides a casino gamingtable, in which the game itself is conducted using traditional, manualsystems, and the players place bets and wins or losses are calculatedusing electronic means.

[0013] The core advantage of such an arrangement is that the croupierneed only physically conduct the game elements—for example, spinning aroulette wheel. The croupier need not watch for irregularities orcalculate wins and losses. As a result, play can proceed more rapidly,and more players can be accommodated simultaneously.

[0014] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a gamingtable system including;

[0015] a gaming surface, at least one manual random game outcomedeterminator, game outcome data capturing means and one or moreelectronic player terminals to allow one or more players to place betselectronically.

[0016] According to a further aspect, the present invention provides amethod for operating a casino gaming table, said table including playerterminals for players to electronically place bets on the outcome of agame, said method including the steps of:

[0017] electronically receiving a betting amount from a player;

[0018] manually determining a game outcome;

[0019] calculating win/loss data in accordance with the outcome of thegame; and

[0020] electronically updating player terminals in accordance with saidwin/loss data.

[0021] Preferably, the system will include processing means forcalculating win/loss data in accordance with the outcome of the game.

[0022] Preferably, the system also includes updating means for updatingcustomer credit values in accordance with the win/loss data.

[0023] The system may also provide a countdown to inform the players ofthe time remaining before all bets must be placed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0024] The Invention will now be described in more detail with referenceto the following figures.

[0025]FIG. 1 shows a typical layout of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the layout of FIG. 1,showing how the various elements of the system are connected;

[0027]FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen display of a player terminalof the present invention; and

[0028]FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen display of the System GameController of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] As can be seen from FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention will include a gaming table 1, around which players will sitand operate respective automatic player terminals 2. The game outcomedeterminator in this case will be a traditional roulette wheel 3, whichis operated in the normal manner by a human operator.

[0030] Situated close to the gaming table where the outcome isdetermined, is Central Controller (CC) 4 (not shown in FIG. 1). CentralController 4 is connected to player terminals 2 as well as to a SystemGame Controller (SGC) 5. The player terminals 2 are used for placementof bets, display of winning bets, cash balances and promotional andother informative data. The screen of player terminal 2 displays animage of a playing surface related to the participating gaming table.Players may place their bets by following the instructions displayed onthe screen as will be described in more detail below, with reference toFIG. 2.

[0031] The arrangement of the present invention may also include a“display tree” 6, which is used to display the outcome of the game.Optionally, the display tree may also display the outcome of any numberof the preceding games.

[0032] The CC 4 acts as an interface between the player terminals 2 andthe SGC 5. The CC 4 monitors and processes payment amounts, buy-inamounts, winning results and bet positions.

[0033] The SGC 5 communicates with the CC 4 and can also be used toprovide data and statistical information to Casino databases. Thededicated gambling table dealer operates the SGC to register buy-inamounts and allocates these to individual player terminals and processeswinning and losing results. It also maintains transaction records andcommunicates winning result information to the CC 4, and providesinformation to the gaming table operator and CC 4 regarding cash outamounts when players finish playing.

[0034] A schematic diagram of a typical layout of the invention is shownin FIG. 2, where like elements described above in relation to FIG. 1 arelabelled accordingly.

[0035] Casino management databases 9 are connected to the SGC 5 viadedicated application server software. Furthermore, peripheral elementsmay include a Note Acceptor 7 that is connected to the SGC 5 via aserial interface and is responsible for processing all local currency.Under control of the croupier, notes fed into the Notes Acceptor willresult in a credit being issued to the corresponding player's terminalfor use throughout the game.

[0036] The Components

[0037] SGC

[0038] The SGC 5 controls game execution. While the croupier spins theroulette wheel to generate the game outcome, it is the SGC 5 that isresponsible for handling buy-in and collect amounts, maintainingtransaction history, processing patron ratings and generallyadministering the game.

[0039] Before the commencement of a game, the SGC 5 sends a new gamerequest to the central controller which then confirms that all terminalsare synchronised. The SGC 5 then initiates the countdown by sending theCentral Controller 4 a “Start Game” command, with the associated timelimit which is then relayed to the player terminal screens andacknowledged.

[0040] The countdown time is the time allowed for players to place theirbets. At the completion of the countdown period, the player terminals 2will send respective betting information to the Central Controller 4. Ifno bet is placed for a particular terminal within this time, theterminal 2 sends a “zerobet” packet to Central Controller 4.

[0041] At the completion of the countdown, the Central Controller 4sends a message to the SGC 5 that the countdown has expired and pollsfor the acknowledgement from each terminal. All associated bet detailsare then passed to the SGC 5 via the Central Controller 4. At this time,bets can no longer be placed, and the amount bet is deducted from theaccount balances stored on the respective player terminals 2. Thecroupier then calls “No More Bets”, and spins the wheel to determine thewinning number. The winning number is then confirmed by the croupier, asis discussed in more detail below, and is sent to the Central Controller4. The SGC 5 then calculates win/loss data for each player terminal 2,and each is then updated accordingly through the Central Controller 4.

[0042] The countdown feature is also particularly advantageous to bothplayers and the casino. The countdown allows players to be aware of theremaining time before having to place their bet. In traditional systems,there is no systematic way of knowing when the “end of bets time” isapproaching. The croupier may call “last bets”, but the final time isvariable within limits. It is possible that the croupier will call “nomore bets” just before a player decides where and in what amount toplace the bet. When this happens, the player misses out on participatingin that game and the casino misses out on the opportunity of winning theplayer's money.

[0043] With the countdown feature, this situation is avoided because theplayer can see that the final time for placing a bet is approaching, andknows exactly how much time remains in which to place the bet.Accordingly, if the player intends to place the bet for that particulargame, he or she is more likely to do this before the betting timeexpires. In this way, the player will not be excluded from the givengame for having missed out on placing the bet, and the casino is able tohave bets placed in a more consistent manner, contributing to theincreased profits provided by the system of the present invention.

[0044] Cc

[0045] The CC is a multi-line user system running several processesneeded to co-ordinate the game. The CC's role includes:

[0046] Game handier—calculation of winning amounts, updated playercredits and handling of the game state;

[0047] Player terminal handler—detection of newly-connected playerterminal units, configuration of the player terminal units, upgrade ofthe player terminal unit software, detection of malfunctioning ordisconnected units;

[0048] Casino Management system handler—transfer between local databaseand casino specific database, maintain integrity of data by movingessential data off the gaming floor and onto the area of high security;

[0049] Local database handler—provide a standard interface that gamesystems according to the present invention can access;

[0050] Local database—reliably store gaming data required for thereliable running of the game system, provide access to real timeinformation needed during a game;

[0051] Gaming hardware handler—transformation of the signals from thirdparty hardware into a format suitable for the system of the presentinvention;

[0052] Firewall—isolates the player terminal units from an externalnetwork, promoting a basic level of security, allowing the game systemto exist on a single casino network without interference.

[0053] Player Terminals

[0054] The player terminals are employed as the interface between theplayer and the system of the present invention. The main components ofthe player terminal include:

[0055] Touch screen monitor—display of all selectable game features thatrelate to the dedicated gaming table;

[0056] Pentium PC—interface between player functions as interpreted bythe touchscreen monitor, which is then relayed to the CC in conjunctionwith,

[0057] Interface Board—housed in a logic cage, handles all securityissues and maintains the link ID of the player terminal machines.

[0058] Associated peripherals include, but are not limited to, billacceptor, attendant key, accounting key, door sensors and playerterminal specific software.

[0059] The operation of the player terminal 2 and screen display willnow be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an example of adisplay that may be presented to a player on his or her correspondingplayer terminal. To play a game, the player must begin by pressing the“Buy In” button 201 on the player terminal screen 200. The buy-inamount, (ie. the amount of cash given by the player to the croupier)will be processed by the croupier through the SGC 5 and credited via theCentral Controller 4 to the player's terminal.

[0060] As described above, before the commencement of a game, the SGC 5sends a “Start Game” signal to the Central Controller 4, which in turnensures that all player terminals are synchronised so that each playeris given the same time in which to place their bets. During thecountdown, bets can be placed by dragging the selected denomination chip(202-207) over the betting layout 208 to the desired location.

[0061] Chips can be placed over existing chips on the layout to increasethe bet at that location. Once the chip is placed on the layout, thesize of the chip will reduce by about 20-30% so as to best fit on thelayout area. It will then change to a standard colour and the numbervalue in the middle of the chip will display the total bet amount on thelayout at that particular location. For example, if two $5 chips, two $2chips and a $1 chip are placed on a single location on the layout, theimage of the chip at that spot will display a value of $15. To remove abet, the chip is selected and dragged off the layout to reduce theamount of the bet. This dragging may be done via a conventional mousedevice, or may be done simply by dragging a finger across the screen ofthe touch screen terminal.

[0062] The display on the terminal will also indicate the time remainingfor betting (209), the current balance (210), the current amount bet(211) and the win amount (212). The current balance is updated at thecompletion of each game cycle and is equal to the previous cash balanceplus any wins for that game minus the cash bet in that game.

[0063] At the completion of the countdown, the Central Controller 4 willpoll all the active player terminals, and then send all of the betdetails and balances to the SGC 5. If the amount bet does meet theminimum requirement of the table and is greater than zero, then amessage will be displayed on the player terminal status bar 213, and an“invalid bet” message will be displayed on the player terminal and alsosent to the SGC 5.

[0064] After the winning number and winning wages information isreceived from the SGC 5, the Central Controller 4 passes the informationto each player terminal, and the player terminal will flash the winningcombinations of only those chips on the betting layout that have won.When the gaming cycle begins again, the layout display will be clearedof all bets placed in the previous game.

[0065] A number of other options are available and may be controlled bybuttons on the display screen:

[0066] the “RECALL” button 214, is used to repeat the betting layout ofthe last game cycle;

[0067] the “CASH OUT” button 221 is used to inform the dealer that theplayer wishes to collect his or her cash balance. The croupier will thenprocess this request through the SGC 5. During this processing time, theplayer terminal 2 is disabled from betting. The cash balance will thenbe returned to zero balance on the player terminal via the CentralController 4 and the payment will be completed with the croupier payingto the player the cash equivalent of the balance in the form of gamingchips.

[0068] the “BUY-IN” button 201, as described above, is used to informthe croupier that the player wishes to join the game and/or to depositfunds in the player terminal cash balance. The croupier then processesthe “buy-in” through the SGC 5. During this process, the player terminalis still able to process bets. The “buy-in” process will add the“buy-in” amount to the cash balance on the player terminal via theCentral Controller 4 and then will be confirmed by the player.

[0069] The “TIERRE” button 215, applies the following bet to thelayout:a six-piece wager with one piece each on 5/8 split, 10/11 split,13/16 split, 23/24 split, 27/30 split and 33/36 split.

[0070] The “ORPHANS” button 216, applies the following bet to thelayout; a five piece wager with one piece each on:1 straight up, 6/9split, 14/17 split, 17/20 split and 31/34 split.

[0071] The “GRAND SERIES” button 217 applies the following bet to thelayout: a nine piece wager with one piece each on:4/7 split, 12/15split, 18/21 split, 19/22 split, 32/35 split, and two chips each on25/29 corner and 0/2/3 street.

[0072] The “NEIGHBOURS” button 218 applies the following bet to thelayout, a five piece wager covering the winning number from the previousspin, and the two numbers either side of it on the roulette wheel.

[0073] The “CLEAR” button 219 is used to clear the layout during the betcountdown.

[0074] The “HELP” button 220 is used to display game results, pay-outstructures and system definitions.

[0075] The “TIME LIMIT” slider 209 is used to represent the bettingcountdown clock. It is in a scale of seconds and configurable dependingon the time limit set for the game on the SGC 5. Once the slider reacheszero seconds, the player terminal will disallow any transactions by theplayer on the terminal.

[0076] An optional display on the terminal screen might also allow theplayer to view bets placed by other players. This may take the form ofother players' chips being displayed in different colours on the displayof the board layout.

[0077] The function of the SGC 5 will now be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen display500, which may be viewed by the croupier running the game, andrepresents various options available. Every screen on the SGC has astatus bar 501, which displays comments and instructions relevant to theoperation of the game, and the game clock 502, that allows the croupierto see the current amount of time remaining for bet allocation on theplayer terminal 2. The main screen on the SGC 5 allows the croupier toview all player terminal locations with a status, which may be definedby a colour code. In FIG. 4, the various player terminals arerepresented by squares located along the borders of the SGC 5 screendisplay and numbered 504 to 514. Various information is displayed ondifferent player terminal squares to represent the current status ofparticular player terminals. For example, player terminal 503 isindicated as being disabled, while the display of terminal 507 indicatesthat the player on that terminal has just bought in to the game.Terminals 509 and 510 indicate that the players have selected the “cashout” option as described above, and are collecting the balance of thecredit allocated to their terminal in the form of gaming chips.

[0078] Block 515 will initiate a “New Game”, which initiates a commandto the Central Controller 4 to commence the game clock for setting onall active player terminals. The “New Game” button will be disabled whengame countdown has commenced, or when the game is in pause mode, andwill be re-enabled once the winning number is confirmed. The ““WinningNumber” button 516 will display the winning number, and will need to beconfirmed by the croupier, who views the actual outcome of the game byobserving the actual position of the ball on the roulette wheel 3, andverifying that the actual winning number is the same as that displayedin box 516. This confirmation is done by the croupier touching box 516.If the number displayed in box 516 is incorrect, confirmation will bedeclined, and the SGC 5 will advance the croupier into a ‘winning numberinput and confirmation” screen. This will allow the number to bemanually input and confirmed. The “winning number” box 516 will alsodisplay a message to direct the croupier to spin the ball on theroulette wheel. This message is displayed once the SGC 5 is informed bythe Central Controller that all transactions have been completed.Alternatively, the system will not read the winning number at all.Rather, the croupier will observe the outcome of the game and enter thewinning number into the system. The system then processes the inputinformation as previously described.

[0079] Administration box 517 allows the croupier to control a number ofspecific functions, such as pausing a current game, configuring min/maxbets and opening and closing the table.

[0080] The system described above accordingly provides many advantagesover current table games. In particular, the system improves security inthat it is far more difficult for a player to attempt to cheat, andreduces the risks of miscalculations being made by the croupier.Furthermore, the system allows more players to play per table, is moreattractive to players who may be otherwise intimidated, provides greaterflexibility in betting options and improves the ratio of earnings tooutgoings for the casino in terms of croupier salary per number ofplayers.

[0081] While the above description has been focussed on the game ofroulette, it will be understood that the principles of the invention maybe equally applied to any suitable gaming table, to provide the aboveadvantages. Such suitable table games include Sic Bo, Big Wheel, Two Upand Mini Baccarat.

[0082] It will also be appreciated that the above description has beengiven in relation to a preferred embodiment only, and is not meant to belimited to the specifics of the disclosure, which may vary in many waysas would be understood by the person skilled in the art, within thescope of the present invention.

1. A method of operating a gaming table, said table including at leastone player terminal for at least one player to electronically place betson the outcome of a game, said method including the steps of: displayingan image of a roulette table playing surface including at least onewagering region on each player terminal; displaying an image of at leastone denomination of gambling chip on each player terminal; and the atleast one player electronically placing a bet on the outcome of a gameby moving an image of at least one gambling chip onto a wagering regionwithin the image of the roulette table playing surface.
 2. A method ofoperating a gaming table according to claim 1, wherein said methodfurther includes the step of manually determining a game outcome.
 3. Amethod of operating a gaming table according to claim 1, wherein saidmethod further includes the step of displaying, on each player terminal,a countdown representing the time remaining before all bets must beplaced by the players for a particular game.
 4. A method of operating agaming table according to claim 2, wherein the step of manuallydetermining a game outcome involves spinning a roulette wheel.
 5. Amethod of operating a gaming table according to claim 1, wherein themethod further includes the step of displaying, for each wagering regionwithin the roulette table playing surface, the total value of thegambling chips which have been moved onto that wagering region.
 6. Amethod of operating a gaming table according to claim 1, wherein saidmethod further includes the step of displaying on each player terminalthe current balance that the at least one player has available forwagering.
 7. A method of operating a gaming table according to claim 1,wherein said method further includes the step of displaying on eachplayer terminal the total amount that the at least one player haswagered on the current game.
 8. A method of operating a gaming tableaccording to claim 1, wherein said method further includes the step ofdisplaying on each player terminal the total amount that the at leastone player has won on the current game.
 9. A method of operating agaming table according to claim 1, wherein said method further includesthe steps of: displaying on each player terminal at least one furtherwagering region chosen from the group consisting of ‘TIERRE’, ‘ORPHANS’,‘GRAND SERIES’ and ‘NEIGHBOURS’; and the at least one playerelectronically placing a bet on the outcome of a game by touching atleast one said further wagering region.
 10. A method of operating agaming table according to claim 1, wherein said method further includesthe steps of: displaying on each player terminal at least one furtherwagering region chosen from the group consisting of ‘TIERRE’, ‘ORPHANS’,‘GRAND SERIES’ and ‘NEIGHBOURS’; and the at least one playerelectronically placing a bet on the outcome of a game by moving an imageof at least one gambling chip onto a wagering region within the image ofthe roulette table playing surface.
 11. A method of operating a gamingtable according to claim 1, wherein said method further includes thestep of the at least one player electronically reducing the total amountwagered on the outcome of a game by moving an image of at least onegambling chip off of a wagering region within the roulette table playingsurface.
 12. A method of operating a gaming table, said table includingat least one player terminal for at least one player to electronicallyplace bets on the outcome of a game, said method including the steps of:displaying an image of a roulette table playing surface on each playerterminal; displaying on each player terminal at least one wageringregion chosen from the group consisting of ‘TIERRE’, ‘ORPHANS’, ‘GRANDSERIES’ and ‘NEIGHBOURS’; and the at least one player electronicallyplacing a bet on the outcome of a game by touching at least one saidfurther wagering region.
 13. A method of operating a gaming tableaccording to claim 1 2, wherein said method further includes the step ofmanually determining a game outcome.
 14. A method of operating a gamingtable according to claim 12, wherein said method further includes thestep of displaying, on each player terminal, a countdown representingthe time remaining before all bets must be placed by the players for aparticular game.
 15. A method of operating a gaming table according toclaim 13, wherein the step of manually determining a game outcomeinvolves spinning a roulette wheel.
 16. A method of operating a gamingtable according to claim 12, wherein said method further includes thestep of displaying on each player terminal the current balance that theat least one player has available for wagering.
 17. A method ofoperating a gaming table according to claim 12, wherein said methodfurther includes the step of displaying on each player terminal thetotal amount that the at least one player has wagered on the currentgame.
 18. A method of operating a gaming table according to claim 12,wherein said method further includes the step of displaying on eachplayer terminal the total amount that the at least one player has won onthe current game.
 19. A method of operating a gaming table according toclaim 1 2, wherein said method further includes the steps of: within theimage of a roulette table playing surface, displaying at least onefurther wagering region on each player terminal; displaying an image ofat least one denomination of gambling chip on each player terminal; andthe at least one player electronically placing a bet on the outcome of agame by moving an image of at least one gambling chip onto a furtherwagering region within the image of the roulette table playing surface.20. A method of operating a gaming table according to claim 19, whereinsaid method further includes the step of the at least one playerelectronically reducing the total amount wagered on the outcome of agame by moving an image of at least one gambling chip off of a wageringregion within the roulette table playing surface.
 21. A method ofoperating a gaming table, said table including at least one playerterminal for at least one player to electronically place bets on theoutcome of a game, said method including the steps of: displaying animage of a roulette table playing surface on each player terminal;displaying on each player terminal at least one wagering region chosenfrom the group consisting of ‘TIERRE’, ‘ORPHANS’, ‘GRAND SERIES’ and‘NEIGHBOURS’; displaying an image of at least one denomination ofgambling chip on each player terminal; and the at least one playerelectronically placing a bet on the outcome of a game by moving an imageof at least one gambling chip onto a said wagering region.
 22. A methodof operating a gaming table according to claim 21, wherein said methodfurther includes the step of manually determining a game outcome.
 23. Amethod of operating a gaming table according to claim 21, wherein saidmethod further includes the step of displaying, on each player terminal,a countdown representing the time remaining before all bets must beplaced by the players for a particular game.
 24. A method of operating agaming table according to claim 22, wherein the step of manuallydetermining a game outcome involves spinning a roulette wheel.
 25. Amethod of operating a gaming table according to claim 21, wherein themethod further includes the step of displaying, for each wagering regionwithin the roulette table playing surface, the total value of thegambling chips which have been moved onto that wagering region.
 26. Amethod of operating a gaming table according to claim 21, wherein saidmethod further includes the step of displaying on each player terminalthe current balance that the at least one player has available forwagering.
 27. A method of operating a gaming table according to claim21, wherein said method further includes the step of displaying on eachplayer terminal the total amount that the at least one player haswagered on the current game.
 28. A method of operating a gaming tableaccording to claim 21, wherein said method further includes the step ofdisplaying on each player terminal the total amount that the at leastone player has won on the current game.
 29. A method of operating agaming table according to claim 21, wherein said method further includesthe steps of: within the image of a roulette table playing surface,displaying at least one further wagering region on each player terminal;displaying an image of at least one denomination of gambling chip oneach player terminal; and the at least one player electronically placinga bet on the outcome of a game by moving an image of at least onegambling chip onto a further wagering region within the image of theroulette table playing surface.
 30. A method of operating a gaming tableaccording to claim 29, wherein said method further includes the step ofthe at least one player electronically reducing the total amount wageredon the outcome of a game by moving an image of at least one gamblingchip off of a wagering region within the roulette table playing surface.31. A gaming table system having a gaming surface, game outcome datacapturing means and at least one electronic player terminal to allow atleast one player to place bets electronically, said electronic playerterminal including: means for displaying an image of a roulette tableplaying surface including at least one wagering region on each playerterminal; means for displaying an image of at least one denomination ofgambling chip on each player terminal; and means for moving an image ofat least one gambling chip onto a wagering region within the image ofthe roulette table playing surface.
 32. A gaming table system accordingto claim 31, wherein said system further includes at least one manualrandom game outcome determinator.
 33. A gaming table system according toclaim 32, wherein said manual random game outcome determinator is aroulette wheel.
 34. A gaming table system according to claim 31, whereinsaid system further includes means for displaying, on each playerterminal, a countdown representing the time remaining before all betsmust be placed by the players for a particular game.
 35. A gaming tablesystem according to claim 31, wherein said system further includes meansfor displaying, for each wagering region within the roulette tableplaying surface, the total value of the gambling chips which have beenmoved onto that wagering region.
 36. A gaming table system according toclaim 31, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, oneach player terminal, the current balance that the at least one playerhas available for wagering.
 37. A gaming table system according to claim31, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, on eachplayer terminal, the total amount that the at least one player haswagered on the current game.
 38. A gaming table system according toclaim 31, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, oneach player terminal, the total amount that the at least one player haswon on the current game.
 39. A gaming table system according to claim31, wherein said system further includes: means for displaying, on eachplayer terminal, at least one further wagering region chosen from thegroup consisting of ‘TIERRE’, ‘ORPHANS’, ‘GRAND SERIES’ and‘NEIGHBOURS’; and means for the at least one player to electronicallyplace a bet on the outcome of a game by touching at least one saidfurther wagering region.
 40. A gaming table system according to claim39, wherein said system further includes means for the at least oneplayer to electronically reduce the total amount wagered on the outcomeof a game by moving an image of at least one gambling chip off of awagering region within the roulette table playing surface.
 41. A gamingtable system according to claim 31, wherein said system furtherincludes: means for displaying, on each player terminal, at least onefurther wagering region chosen from the group consisting of ‘TIERRE’,‘ORPHANS’, ‘GRAND SERIES’ and ‘NEIGHBOURS’; and means for the at leastone player to electronically place a bet on the outcome of a game bymoving an image of at least one gambling chip onto said at least onefurther wagering region.
 42. A gaming table system according to claim41, wherein said system further includes means for the at least oneplayer to electronically reduce the total amount wagered on the outcomeof a game by moving an image of at least one gambling chip off of awagering region within the roulette table playing surface.
 43. A gamingtable system having a gaming surface, game outcome data capturing meansand at least one electronic player terminal to allow at least one playerto place bets electronically, said electronic player terminal including:means for displaying on each player terminal at least one wageringregion chosen from the group consisting of ‘TIERRE’, ‘ORPHANS’, ‘GRANDSERIES’ and ‘NEIGHBOURS’; and means for at least one player toelectronically place a bet on the outcome of a game by touching at leastone said wagering region.
 44. A gaming table system according to claim43, wherein said system further includes at least one manual random gameoutcome determinator.
 45. A gaming table system according to claim 43,wherein said system further includes means for displaying, on eachplayer terminal, a countdown representing the time remaining before allbets must be placed by the players for a particular game.
 46. A gamingtable system according to claim 43, wherein said manual random gameoutcome determinator is a roulette wheel.
 47. A gaming table systemaccording to claim 43, wherein said system further includes means fordisplaying, for each wagering region within the roulette table playingsurface, the total value of the gambling chips which have been movedonto that wagering region.
 48. A gaming table system according to claim43, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, on eachplayer terminal, the current balance that the at least one player hasavailable for wagering.
 49. A gaming table system according to claim 43,wherein said system further includes means for displaying, on eachplayer terminal, the total amount that the at least one player haswagered on the current game.
 50. A gaming table system according toclaim 43, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, oneach player terminal, the total amount that the at least one player haswon on the current game.
 51. A gaming table system according to claim43, wherein said system further includes: means for displaying, withinthe image of a roulette table playing surface on each player terminal,at least one further wagering region; means for displaying an image ofat least one denomination of gambling chip on each player terminal; andmeans for the at least one player to electronically place a bet on theoutcome of a game by moving an image of at least one gambling chip ontosaid at least one further wagering region within the image of theroulette table playing surface.
 52. A gaming table system according toclaim 43, wherein said system further includes means for the at leastone player to electronically reduce the total amount wagered on theoutcome of a game by moving an image of at least one gambling chip offof a wagering region within the roulette table playing surface.
 53. Agaming table system having a gaming surface, game outcome data capturingmeans and at least one electronic player terminal to allow at least oneplayer to place bets electronically, said electronic player terminalincluding: means for displaying on each player terminal at least onewagering region chosen from the group consisting of ‘TIERRE’, ‘ORPHANS’,‘GRAND SERIES’ and ‘NEIGHBOURS’; means for displaying an image of atleast one denomination of gambling chip on each player terminal; andmeans for at least one player to electronically place a bet on theoutcome of a game by moving an image of at least one gambling chip ontoat least one said wagering region.
 54. A gaming table system accordingto claim 53, wherein said system further includes at least one manualrandom game outcome determinator.
 55. A gaming table system according toclaim 53, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, oneach player terminal, a countdown representing the time remaining beforeall bets must be placed by the players for a particular game.
 56. Agaming table system according to claim 53, wherein said manual randomgame outcome determinator is a roulette wheel.
 57. A gaming table systemaccording to claim 53, wherein said system further includes means fordisplaying, for each wagering region within the roulette table playingsurface, the total value of the gambling chips which have been movedonto that wagering region.
 58. A gaming table system according to claim53, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, on eachplayer terminal, the current balance that the at least one player hasavailable for wagering.
 59. A gaming table system according to claim 53,wherein said system further includes means for displaying, on eachplayer terminal, the total amount that the at least one player haswagered on the current game.
 60. A gaming table system according toclaim 53, wherein said system further includes means for displaying, oneach player terminal, the total amount that the at least one player haswon on the current game.
 61. A gaming table system according to claim53, wherein said system further includes: means for displaying, withinthe image of a roulette table playing surface on each player terminal,at least one further wagering region; means for displaying an image ofat least one denomination of gambling chip on each player terminal; andmeans for the at least one player to electronically place a bet on theoutcome of a game by moving an image of at least one gambling chip ontosaid at least one further wagering region within the image of theroulette table playing surface.
 62. A gaming table system according toclaim 53, wherein said system further includes means for the at leastone player to electronically reduce the total amount wagered on theoutcome of a game by moving an image of at least one gambling chip offof a wagering region within the roulette table playing surface.